Obituaries 04/30/26
Donald Broll, 75
Donald Alvin Broll, age 75, formerly of Waverly, October 1, 1950 – April 17, 2026.
Survived by daughter, Catina (Mike) Bills; son, Corey (Jodi) Broll; grandchildren, Alex (Josh), Rose, Brian, Morgan, Terell, and Micheal; great-grandchildren, Diadasia and Ilara; other relatives and friends.
Preceded in death by a son, Brian; his parents, Myron and Dolores; a brother, Jimmy; a sister, Mary Kay Scott; and others.
Memorial Mass on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, at 11:00 A.M., St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Waverly. Visitation one hour prior to Mass AT THE CHURCH.
The Peterson Chapel St. Michael-Albertville Funeral Home is serving the family. Online condolences may be made to www.thepetersonchapel.com.
Carl "Dean" Carlson, 83
Carl “Dean” Carlson, age 83, passed away on Easter Sunday, April 5, 2026, surrounded by family at home. He was born a premature infant on September 5, 1942, in Enfield (Silver Creek Township) in rural Monticello, MN. Delivered at home by his aunt, he overcame the odds and was kept alive in a stove warmer acting as an incubator. He was the son of Carl Elmore and Dorothy Cyrene (Bell) Carlson and graduated from Monticello Schools in 1960. Soon after, he proudly served his country as a U.S. Navy corpsman medic stationed at Naval Base Guam in the Mariana Islands of the Pacific Ocean.
On June 27, 1964, he was united in marriage to the love of his life, Donna Mae Carron, at St. Albert’s Catholic Church in Albertville, MN. Together, they built a hobby farm in Enfield (Silver Creek Township) and were blessed with three daughters, Chrysann, Deann, and Roxann. There they enjoyed 57 years on that cherished hobby farm, where he loved working the land and raising his family.
A lifelong resident of the Monticello area, Dean worked at Hoffman Engineering in Anoka and North Star Concrete in Osseo as a Parts and Purchasing Manager. Later, they purchased Carron Bus Service in Elk River and renamed the business to D & D Bus Service Inc. and relocated to Monticello. In 1992, they expanded the business to D&D Distributing Inc., a wholesale and retail company. Dean retired in 2003 and enjoyed time at the family cabin on Maple Lake, fishing, and pheasant hunting with friends and family, and spending countless hours in his workshop on various projects. His greatest passions were growing up on the farm and spending time with his wife, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, his cat, Kitty, and many friends. He was a past member of the Monticello Mason Lodge, a member of St. Henry’s Catholic Church, and a past president and lifetime member of the Monticello Lions Club.
Survived by his wife of 61 years, Donna; daughters, Chrysann (fiancé, Jay Anderson) Carlson, Deann (John) Gagnon, Roxann (Joe) Wardarski; a very special person who was like a son, Kip (Aimee) Sandberg; eight grandchildren, Ashley (Jason) Brevig, Jessie Wardarski, Derec (Tierney) Martie, Rachel (Tyler) Milless, Brady (Sydney) Gagnon, Madison Gagnon, Michael (Ashley) Carriveau, Lexi Wardarski; eight great-grandchildren, Paislee Brevig, Cecelia Brevig, Asher Milless, Rhett Milless, Poppy Gagnon, Arlo Milless, Archer Martie, Sonny Gagnon; brother, Darryl Carlson; sister, Corrine Brevik; sister-in-law, Diane DeMars; brother-in-law, Randy (Debbie) Carron; sister-in-law, Denise McAlpine; and many nieces, nephews, and friends.
Preceded in death by his parents, Carl and Dorothy Carlson; parents-in-law, Raymond and Jeanette Carron; brother-in-law, Carl DeMars; brother-in-law, Kenneth Brevik; sister-in-law, Bonnie Carlson; and niece, Pamela Carlson.
A special thank you to the Monticello Fitness Revolution Rock Steady for Parkinson’s, Monticello Lions Club, St. Cloud VA, and all his caregivers. A very special thank you to Catherine Woart, Dean’s dedicated VA caregiver and ‘buddy.’ Catherine truly went above and beyond, becoming a blessing to his family through her extraordinary care and friendship. Thank you everyone for each and every day you have blessed Dean and his family; a good man is gone.
Dean was a kind, gracious, and loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend who will be sorely missed. Nothing meant more to him than the bond he shared with those he loved. He was the strongest soldier who fought the toughest battle since 2016, as he struggled with Parkinson’s Disease and Lewy Body Dementia.
A memorial mass of Christian burial will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, May 9, 2026, at Saint Henry Catholic Church, 1011 East 7th Street, Monticello, MN, with visitation two hours prior to the service with a luncheon to follow. A burial will be held at a later date at Lakeside Cemetery in Enfield (Silver Creek Township) in rural Monticello, MN.
In honor of Dean Carlson’s life and legacy, the family kindly requests memorial donations go to the following organizations.
Fitness Revolution Rock Steady Boxing, are specialty classes Dean participated in that was meaningful to him and gives people with Parkinson’s Disease hope by improving their quality of life through a non-contact boxing-based fitness curriculum. Checks or cash donations can be mailed or dropped off to Fitness Evolution at 133 Sandberg Rd., Monticello, MN 55362. (https://www.fitevomn.com/rock-steady-boxing-monticello)
Monticello Lions Club, an organization Dean volunteered in that he was committed to by improving lives in the community supporting humanitarian efforts and initiatives. Check donations can be mailed to Monticello Lions Club at PO Box 673, Monticello, MN 55362. (https://www.monticellolions.com/make-a-donation)
Allen Claessens, 81
Allen Robert Claessens, of Buffalo, MN, passed away peacefully on Monday, April 20, 2026, at the age of 81, with his loving family by his side.
He was born on March 4, 1945, in Buffalo, MN, the son of Walter and Helen Claessens. Allen lived a life defined by hard work, generosity, and deep appreciation for the people and passions he held dear. He was a lifelong resident of Chatham Township, a devout Catholic with strong ties to St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, and a proud Army veteran who was awarded the Purple Heart for his service to our country.
Allen loved the land and took great pride in farming, finding purpose and contentment in tending it and raising cattle. He also cherished time spent fishing, sharing stories and laughter with friends and family, and enjoying quiet moments outdoors. One of his greatest joys was taking his faithful dog, Lucy, to the dog park, where their bond was evident to all who met them. An adventurous spirit, Allen also loved flying in small airplanes, finding peace and freedom in the skies.
Allen was known as a generous and kind soul, always willing to help others and offer encouragement without expectation. His quiet strength, warmth, and sincerity left a lasting impression on everyone who had the privilege of knowing him.
Allen is survived by his beloved daughters, Tina, Rebecca, and Catherine, who were the pride and joy of his life; as well as their mother, Ruth Ann Mackey; his son-in-law, Chad Sparby; and his granddaughter, Paige Mackey. He will be deeply missed by them, as well as by his many friends and extended family members who were fortunate to know him.
He was preceded in death by his beloved parents, Walter and Helen (Varner) Claessens; his uncle, Donald; and son-in-law, Robert Kasper.
Allen Claessens leaves behind a legacy of love, integrity, and quiet strength. Though he will be deeply missed, his memory will live on in the lives he touched and the stories shared by those who knew him best.
Visitation for Allen will be held Wednesday, May 6, 2026 from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. at The Peterson Chapel in Buffalo, MN.
Mass of Christian Burial will be Thursday, May 7, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. with visitation continuing one hour prior to the Mass at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Buffalo, MN.
Celebrant will be Father Austin Barnes.
Casket bearers will be Pete Manz, Travis Sovell, Mike Brueggeman, Kevin Veches, Tyler Veches, and Edward Graham
Interment will be at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Cemetery in Buffalo, MN.
There will be a luncheon at church following the interment.
Arrangements were entrusted to The Peterson Chapel in Buffalo, MN.
Harold Meintsma, 87
Harold George Meintsma, age 87, of Ponsford, MN, passed away peacefully on Monday, December 22, 2025, at his winter home in Texas, surrounded by loved ones.
Harold was born on February 11, 1938, to George and Glorene Meintsma at St. Cloud Hospital. He grew up on the family farm in Maple Lake, MN, and attended Maple Lake schools. At age 17, Harold joined the United States Navy and served his country from 1955 to 1961. He shared many stories from his service with his family and was very fortunate to see many parts of the world.
Harold and Virginia (Simning) were united in marriage on July 15, 1958, and together had four children, Ron, April, Jolene, and Steven. They lived in the Wright County area for many years and later built a log home together on Fish Trap Lake near Motley, MN, where they enjoyed fishing and being outdoors.
Harold worked at Bondhus Corporation for many years, where he made lifelong friendships with Darrel Lanz and Gordy Seahafer. He also worked for Hoglund Bus Company as a salesman. He loved his job because he could talk with many people and treated everyone as if they had been friends for years. Harold also had a great passion for motorcycles his whole life, with his Harley being his prized possession. He loved to snowmobile in the winter with good friends and family, having covered many trails in the area.
After his beloved wife, Virginia’s death in 2003, Harold met Doris Metzer at Park Place Estates in Harlingen, Texas, in 2005. They were married in Ponsford, MN, on June 16, 2007. Harold and Doris spent their winters in Texas and summers on Ice Cracking Lake near Ponsford, MN. They both enjoyed looking out over the lake and feeding many kinds of birds.
Harold is survived by his loving wife, Doris Metzer; son, Ron Meintsma (Linda Ashley); daughter, April (Craig) Vassar; stepson, Robert (Georgiann) Metzer; step-daughters, Julie (Kurt) Fondrick, Mitzi (Andy) Gregg, and Mariann Metzer; seven grandchildren; 14 step-grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; 18 step-great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandson; sister, Connie (Mike) Jatko; and sisters-in-law, Barb (Vernon) Meintsma and Beverly (Jack) Meintsma.
Harold was preceded in death by his wife, Virginia; parents, George and Glorene Meintsma; son, Steven Meintsma; daughter, Jolene Osiecki; stepson, Anthony Metzer; step-daughter, Patricia Metzer; step-grandson, Matthew Metzer; brothers, Vernon and Jack Meintsma; and sister, Barbara Raleigh.
A memorial service will be held at Peterson Chapel in Buffalo, MN, on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, at 12:00 P.M., with visitation one hour prior. Military honors will follow the service outside the chapel.
Interment at Lakeview Cemetery, Maple Lake, MN.
“To live in the hearts of those we love is never to die.” — Thomas Campbell
Arrangements were entrusted to The Peterson Chapel of Buffalo, MN.
Ruby Valenta-Leet, 98
Ruby Eloise Combs Valenta – Leet, of Buffalo, formerly of Maple Lake, Monticello, and Cokato, went to her heavenly Father on January 14, 2026, not long after her 98th birthday on January 4th.
Obituary is yet to be posted. Services are forthcoming.
Duane Weller Sr., 74
Duane Richard Weller Sr., age 74, of Buffalo, Minnesota, passed away peacefully at the Minneapolis VA Hospital on April 15, 2026, surrounded by loved ones.
Duane was born on December 9, 1951, in Grand Rapids, Minnesota, to Willis and Helen (Moore) Weller. Late in his teen years, he made the decision to leave high school where he’d enlist into the United States Army. He was inducted in November 1969 and served overseas in the Vietnam war. Duane served courageously and proudly until his honorable discharge in May 1972.
Following his return home, Duane began working in Fridley, Minnesota, where he and his then co-worker, Rose Baier, met. The two were united in marriage in 1973 in Herman, Minnesota. They were blessed with their first daughter, Angela, then later moved to Morris, Minnesota. Their family grew with two more children, Rachael and Duane, Jr., where they go on to establish their roots in Buffalo, Minnesota.
Duane worked as a meat cutter/manager for Lunds, dedicating decades to his career before retiring in 2009.
He was well connected with his community, playing a lucrative role as a member on the P.L.S.A board was his proudest contribution. He enjoyed the outdoors, Texas Hold ’em with friends, as well as working on any and all odd projects.
He had a gift for conversation and could strike up a friendship with just about anyone. He was natural handyman that always kept himself busy but never out of trouble.
Above all, Duane cherished his family. He was a true family man—proud, loving, caring, and always present. Whether offering kindness or a bit of tough love, his loved ones knew they could always count on him.
Duane was preceded in death by his daughter, Angela (2009); his parents, Willis and Helen Weller; and his brothers, Jim and David Weller.
Duane is survived by his beloved wife of 53 years, Rose; his children, Rachael Weller – Violet and Duane Weller, Jr. (Bridgette Dehmer); his grandchildren, Ashlie Weller, Madisen Weller, and Ciana Violet; his great-grandchild, Trace Weller – Stillwell; his brothers, Jeff Weller and Dennis (Vicki) Weller; his sister, Jeanne Wahlstrom; as well as many nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 16, 2026, at 11:00 A.M. with visitation one hour prior at the Buffalo United Methodist Church located at 609 8th St. NW, Buffalo, MN 55313.
Inurnment with military honors will take place on Friday, May 22, 2026, at 12:00 P.M. at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery (Camp Ripley) located at 15550 MN-115, Little Falls, MN 56345.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Duane’s personal donation portal with the Fisher House Foundation, INC., a non-profit organization dedicated to helping veterans and their loved ones: https://connect.fisherhouse.org/campaign/Honoring-the-memory-of-Duane-We....
To mail in donations: Please make checks payable to: Fisher House Foundation.
Mailing address: Fisher House Foundation, Inc., P.O. Box 791598, Baltimore, MD 21279
The Peterson Chapel in Buffalo is serving the family. Online condolences may be made to www.thepetersonchapel.com.
